Michael Cherkiss
Michael Cherkiss' research interests include population ecology and conservation of amphibians and reptiles, with experience extending to radio telemetry and transmitter attachment on pythons, crocodilians, sea turtles and other species.
BACKGROUND
Prior to joining the USGS, Cherkiss was a biologist with the University of Florida for over ten years. He has over 15 years’ experience conducting research in the coastal areas of South Florida, Everglades ecosystems and internationally throughout the Caribbean, Central and South American.
Education and Certifications
M.S., Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, University of Florida, 2000
B.S., Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, University of Florida, 1996
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 52
Accelerometry to study fine-scale activity of invasive Burmese pythons (Python bivittatus) in the wild Accelerometry to study fine-scale activity of invasive Burmese pythons (Python bivittatus) in the wild
The establishment of Burmese pythons (Python bivittatus) in Everglades National Park, Florida, USA, has been connected to a > 90% decline in the mesomammal population in the park and is a major threat to native reptile and bird populations. Efforts to control this population are underway, but are hampered by a lack of information about fine-scale activity cycles and ecology of these...
Authors
Nicholas M. Whitney, Connor F. White, Brian Smith, Michael Cherkiss, Frank J. Mazzotti, Kristen Hart
Space use and relative habitat selection for immature green turtles within a Caribbean marine protected area Space use and relative habitat selection for immature green turtles within a Caribbean marine protected area
Background A better understanding of sea turtle spatial ecology is critical for the continued conservation of imperiled sea turtles and their habitats. For resource managers to develop the most effective conservation strategies, it is especially important to examine how turtles use and select for habitats within their developmental foraging grounds. Here, we examine the space use and...
Authors
Lucas P Griffin, Brian J. Smith, Michael Cherkiss, Andrew Crowder, Clayton G Pollock, Zandy Hillis-Starr, Andy J. Danylchuk, Kristen Hart
Shifts in hatching date of American crocodile (Crocodylus acutus) in southern Florida Shifts in hatching date of American crocodile (Crocodylus acutus) in southern Florida
Globally temperature of marine environments is on the rise and temperature plays an important role in the life-history of reptiles. In this study, we examined the relationship between sea surface temperature and average date of hatching for American crocodiles (Crocodylus acutus) over a 37-year period at two nesting sites, Everglades National Park and Florida Power and Light Turkey Point...
Authors
Michael Cherkiss, James I. Watling, Laura A. Brandt, Frank J. Mazzotti, Jim Linsay, Jeffrey S. Beauchamp, Jerome J. Lorenz, Joseph Wasilewski, Ikuko Fujisaki, Kristen Hart
Acoustic tag retention rate varies between juvenile green and hawksbill sea turtles Acoustic tag retention rate varies between juvenile green and hawksbill sea turtles
Background Biotelemetry has become a key tool for studying marine animals in the last decade, and a wide range of electronic tags are now available for answering a range of research questions. However, comparatively, less attention has been given to attachment methods for these tags and the implications of tag retention on study design, especially when designing a comparative study...
Authors
Thomas Selby, Brian Smith, Michael Cherkiss, Andrew Crowder, Zandy Hillis-Starr, Clayton Pollock, Kristen Hart
Influence of salinity on relative density of American crocodiles (Crocodylus acutus) in Everglades National Park: Implications for restoration of Everglades ecosystems Influence of salinity on relative density of American crocodiles (Crocodylus acutus) in Everglades National Park: Implications for restoration of Everglades ecosystems
The status of the American crocodile (Crocodylus acutus) has long been a matter of concern in Everglades National Park (ENP) due to its classification as a federal and state listed species, its recognition as a flagship species, and its function as an ecosystem indicator. Survival and recovery of American crocodiles has been linked with regional hydrological conditions, especially...
Authors
Frank J. Mazzotti, Brian Smith, Michiko Squires, Michael S. Cherkiss, Seth C Farris, Caitlin Hackett, Kristen M. Hart, Venetia Briggs-Gonzalez, Laura A. Brandt
Satellite tracking of hawksbill turtles nesting at Buck Island Reef National Monument, US Virgin Islands: Inter-nesting and foraging period movements and migrations Satellite tracking of hawksbill turtles nesting at Buck Island Reef National Monument, US Virgin Islands: Inter-nesting and foraging period movements and migrations
To conserve imperiled marine species, an understanding of high-density use zones is necessary prior to designing and evaluating management strategies that improve their survival. We satellite-tracked turtles captured after nesting at Buck Island ReefNational Monument (BIRNM), St. Croix, US Virgin Islands to determine habitat-use patterns of endangered adult female hawksbills...
Authors
Kristen M. Hart, Autumn Iverson, Allison Benscoter, Ikuko Fujisaki, Michael S. Cherkiss, Clayton Pollock, Ian Lundgren, Zandy Hillis-Starr
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 52
Accelerometry to study fine-scale activity of invasive Burmese pythons (Python bivittatus) in the wild Accelerometry to study fine-scale activity of invasive Burmese pythons (Python bivittatus) in the wild
The establishment of Burmese pythons (Python bivittatus) in Everglades National Park, Florida, USA, has been connected to a > 90% decline in the mesomammal population in the park and is a major threat to native reptile and bird populations. Efforts to control this population are underway, but are hampered by a lack of information about fine-scale activity cycles and ecology of these...
Authors
Nicholas M. Whitney, Connor F. White, Brian Smith, Michael Cherkiss, Frank J. Mazzotti, Kristen Hart
Space use and relative habitat selection for immature green turtles within a Caribbean marine protected area Space use and relative habitat selection for immature green turtles within a Caribbean marine protected area
Background A better understanding of sea turtle spatial ecology is critical for the continued conservation of imperiled sea turtles and their habitats. For resource managers to develop the most effective conservation strategies, it is especially important to examine how turtles use and select for habitats within their developmental foraging grounds. Here, we examine the space use and...
Authors
Lucas P Griffin, Brian J. Smith, Michael Cherkiss, Andrew Crowder, Clayton G Pollock, Zandy Hillis-Starr, Andy J. Danylchuk, Kristen Hart
Shifts in hatching date of American crocodile (Crocodylus acutus) in southern Florida Shifts in hatching date of American crocodile (Crocodylus acutus) in southern Florida
Globally temperature of marine environments is on the rise and temperature plays an important role in the life-history of reptiles. In this study, we examined the relationship between sea surface temperature and average date of hatching for American crocodiles (Crocodylus acutus) over a 37-year period at two nesting sites, Everglades National Park and Florida Power and Light Turkey Point...
Authors
Michael Cherkiss, James I. Watling, Laura A. Brandt, Frank J. Mazzotti, Jim Linsay, Jeffrey S. Beauchamp, Jerome J. Lorenz, Joseph Wasilewski, Ikuko Fujisaki, Kristen Hart
Acoustic tag retention rate varies between juvenile green and hawksbill sea turtles Acoustic tag retention rate varies between juvenile green and hawksbill sea turtles
Background Biotelemetry has become a key tool for studying marine animals in the last decade, and a wide range of electronic tags are now available for answering a range of research questions. However, comparatively, less attention has been given to attachment methods for these tags and the implications of tag retention on study design, especially when designing a comparative study...
Authors
Thomas Selby, Brian Smith, Michael Cherkiss, Andrew Crowder, Zandy Hillis-Starr, Clayton Pollock, Kristen Hart
Influence of salinity on relative density of American crocodiles (Crocodylus acutus) in Everglades National Park: Implications for restoration of Everglades ecosystems Influence of salinity on relative density of American crocodiles (Crocodylus acutus) in Everglades National Park: Implications for restoration of Everglades ecosystems
The status of the American crocodile (Crocodylus acutus) has long been a matter of concern in Everglades National Park (ENP) due to its classification as a federal and state listed species, its recognition as a flagship species, and its function as an ecosystem indicator. Survival and recovery of American crocodiles has been linked with regional hydrological conditions, especially...
Authors
Frank J. Mazzotti, Brian Smith, Michiko Squires, Michael S. Cherkiss, Seth C Farris, Caitlin Hackett, Kristen M. Hart, Venetia Briggs-Gonzalez, Laura A. Brandt
Satellite tracking of hawksbill turtles nesting at Buck Island Reef National Monument, US Virgin Islands: Inter-nesting and foraging period movements and migrations Satellite tracking of hawksbill turtles nesting at Buck Island Reef National Monument, US Virgin Islands: Inter-nesting and foraging period movements and migrations
To conserve imperiled marine species, an understanding of high-density use zones is necessary prior to designing and evaluating management strategies that improve their survival. We satellite-tracked turtles captured after nesting at Buck Island ReefNational Monument (BIRNM), St. Croix, US Virgin Islands to determine habitat-use patterns of endangered adult female hawksbills...
Authors
Kristen M. Hart, Autumn Iverson, Allison Benscoter, Ikuko Fujisaki, Michael S. Cherkiss, Clayton Pollock, Ian Lundgren, Zandy Hillis-Starr